Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Winnipeg Jets Prediction, NHL Odds
It’s Hockey Night in Winnipeg on Saturday as the Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Manitoba to face the Jets. The Leafs avoided what would have been a disastrous loss on Thursday and eked out an overtime thriller at home, 4-3 over the Dallas Stars. Winnipeg wasn’t so lucky on Thursday as they fell 5-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second half of a back-to-back for the Jets.
Toronto is a -154 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with a total of 6.5.
Maple Leafs vs. Jets NHL Betting Odds
These teams split the season series last year, with the home side coming out on top in both games. The Jets won 6-3 on Dec. 5 and the Leafs won 7-3 on March 31. Toronto has a slight 6-4 edge in wins over the last 10 meetings.
This is just Toronto’s second road game of the year following their surprising season opening loss in Montreal. It’s worth noting this team has failed to cover the spread in all five games to this point. The total has gone Under in four of the Leafs’ five games, although they did hit the Over in the Montreal loss.
Winnipeg is off to an even 2-2 start, including a win in their only home game. They’re 2-2 against the spread, including 1-0 ATS at home. These teams generally combine for high scoring affairs, with the total going Over in five of the Jets’ last six meetings against Toronto.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It was the Nick Robertson show for Toronto on Thursday as the 21-year-old scored two goals, including the OT winner, in his season debut. Robertson had originally been sent to the minors to start the season, but because of injuries to goaltender Matt Murray and defenceman Jake Muzzin, the Maple Leafs were able to recall Robertson and still be salary cap compliant. Alex Kerfoot had Toronto’s other goal against the Stars and Michael Bunting recorded two assists. Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves in net. One concern this season has been the Leafs’ power play, which is ranked 17th in the NHL at 18.2 per cent and went just 1-for-8 on Thursday.
The other big concern for Toronto right now is the status of Murray and Muzzin. Murray has been placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss at least one month with a groin injury. Slotted as the No. 1 goalie to start the season, Murray allowed four goals on 23 shots in his only game of the season, the loss in Montreal. The news is even bleaker on Muzzin, who is also on injured reserve. Muzzin, who already suffered two concussions last season, is out of the lineup indefinitely due to a head/neck injury and there is real concern it could turn into a serious issue.
Samsonov is expected to get the start in Winnipeg. He’s 3-0-0 on the year with a 1.96 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.
Winnipeg Jets
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Winnipeg’s new bench boss, Rick Bowness, as he hasn’t been able to make his debut behind the bench because of a positive COVID test hours before the season opener. If all goes well, Saturday is expected to be his first game. Bowness will be looking for a better start than the Jets mustered against Vegas as Winnipeg trailed 4-0 after the first period. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Neal Pionk had the Jets’ only goals on Thursday. Backup David Rittich stopped 27 of 31 shots faced. Winnipeg was outshot by a slim 32-28 majority a night after downing the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on the road, 4-3 in overtime.
Connor Hellebuyck will get the start in net on Saturday. In three games this season, Hellebuyck is 2-1-0 with a 2.66 GAA and .922 SV. Nikolaj Ehlers will not play on Saturday after also missing the last two games with an undisclosed injury and he is out of the lineup indefinitely. In two games this season, Ehlers has recorded three assists and registered seven shots on net.
TOR
WIN